Missing UM student's body found in Anacostia River

Greenbelt resident, 22, last seen in club April 16

The body of a University of Maryland senior who had been missing for more than a week was discovered floating in the Anacostia River yesterday, Washington police said.

Arvin Sharma, a 22-year-old Greenbelt resident, was discovered near the 11th Street Bridge about 9:45 a.m., according to police. He was last seen in the early morning of April 16 at Club Lime in the 1800 block of Half St. in Southwest Washington, police said.

Sharma drove to the club with several friends that night. They told police that when the group was ready to leave, they could not find Sharma and he did not return cell phone messages.

Police are awaiting a medical examiner's report before ruling on the death. Officer Junis Fletcher, a department spokesman, said he was unaware of any bruising or marks on Sharma's body.

Sharma was scheduled to receive a geography degree next month. He transferred to the University of Maryland, College Park two years ago from Temple University in Philadelphia, UM officials said.

He lived in an apartment with his brother, who could not be reached for comment yesterday. The brother told the Diamondback, the university's student newspaper, that Sharma rarely went out.

"We're certainly saddened to learn of the news of today," said Cassandra Robinson, a university spokeswoman. "It's a tragic occurrence,"